Local Budgets

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David S. Bernstein’s article on the mayor’s feud with the firefighters and allegations that the city’s coffers are bigger than Mayor Tom Menino lets on is one of the only thoughtful treatments of this contract dispute to appear in the media. Letters to the Boston editor, June 18, 2010 By BOSTON PHOENIX LETTERS | June 18, 2010

As debate continues over the city’s finances — and whether the city of Boston can afford firefighters’ raises, branch libraries, community-center staffing, and other costs in tight times — the city is planning to quietly tuck away a one-time windfall of More for Moneybags? By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 21, 2010

Inside Boston’s political back rooms, there is a growing suspicion that Mayor Thomas Menino is sitting on millions of dollars — tens of millions, maybe as much as $400 million — that could be used to save vital city services, such as, among many examples The mayor cuts services, but sits on a stash of cash. By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | May 14, 2010

With unsuccessful wars running in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the worst economic crisis in almost 80 years likely to get worse long before it gets better, Barack Obama will face challenges of historic proportions when he becomes the nation's 44th presiden Boston faces a sobering year By EDITORIAL | January 14, 2009

Do you want to expand gambling in Maine by letting the Passamaquoddy Tribe build and operate a slot-machine parlor, high-stakes beano games, and a harness-racing track in Washington County? Downeast Mainers pin their hopes on the turn of the ballots By JEFF INGLIS | October 25, 2007

Like many large-city governments, Boston is self-insured — that is, instead of paying for an insurance policy to cover its claims, it takes the risk of paying everything it gets hit with out of the city coffers. How other cities handle their mistakes By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | September 27, 2006